The 2020 offseason is well-underway and the Cincinnati Bengals are getting set to coach the South team in the Senior Bowl. But before all that, let’s take one last look at 2019 and hand out a couple of team awards.
Team MVP / Offensive Player of the Year: RB Joe Mixon
Mixon started the season slow but really turned on the jets in December, to the delight of fantasy owners that stuck with him. Mixon rushed for over 130 yards in three of the final four games. Mixon’s slow start can be credited to the mess the team endured at the quarterback position as well as the struggles of the offensive line. Cincinnati didn’t post a ton of offense, but Mixon was still the biggest spark with over 1,100 yards, despite just five touchdowns.
Defensive Player of the Year: S Shawn Williams
Williams was all over the field for the Bengals in 2019, helping the team in just about any way possible. Williams led the team in tackles with 112, five of which were for a loss, which is not bad at all for a safety. Only three players had more and they were all defensive ends (Carlos Dunlap, Sam Hubbard, Carl Lawson). Williams added a sack and an interception for good measure.
Rookie of the Year: LB Germaine Pratt
Overall, the Bengals’ 2019 rookie class was rather underwhelming, but Pratt seemed to break out of the pack the most (no pun intended, though Pratt came from the NC State Wolfpack). Pratt started nine games at linebacker and finished fifth on the team with 72 tackles. Pratt still has plenty of developing to do but at least got his feet wet trying to fill the void at middle linebacker. 2020 will be an intriguing year for Pratt.
Breakout Player: DE Sam Hubbard
Hubbard had a quiet rookie season in 2018. He had anything but a sophomore season. Hubbard started 15 games and registered 8.5 sacks, just a half-sack behind Carlos Dunlap for the team lead and was fourth on the team in tackles with 76. Hubbard at least made one of Cincinnati’s 2018 third-round picks a success and has become one of the key cogs in the Bengals’ pass-rush unit.
Most Underrated Player: CB/KR Darius Phillips
Phillips overcame injury in 2018 and showed off his versatility in 2019 on both defense and special teams. He was a solid kickoff returner, averaging about 21 yards per return and finished the season on a very high note on defense, picking off three passes in the final two weeks of the season. Phillips played nearly every snap in Week 17 against the Browns and started to show he can be a good defensive back in the NFL after an excellent collegiate career at Western Michigan. Perhaps 2020 will be his breakout season.
